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This was probably my favourite episode so far. A bit more gritty with the theft, and lots of unanswered questions about who was the organization pulling the strings with tech ten-years ahead of S.H.I.E.L.D., and what the alien tech on the white-board was.

Skye dropping the clip out of the pistol was a groaner, as the set up in the discussion about her (lack) of proficiency in handguns was waaaay too blunt and predictable.

I think I liked the overall "spy-fi" vibe of this episode with the infiltration of the facility. It we're not going to get supers duking it out, or at least S.H.I.E.L.D. taking down supers (next episode from the looks of it), then high-tech spying is all good.

I'll echo the questions about the organization. Is it the same organization that we saw in the pilot episode or a different one? The ten-year advanced tech is shudderingly scary to me. But the equation leaves me wanting to find a nice, safe planet in some over galaxy. I'm not liking that possibility at all.

Skye's character is someone who never wanted to resort to violence. Prior to her training she probably never held a gun. In a high-stress environment I'm not gonna fault her for not getting it right. But she is starting to learn. We'll see if her training lasts beyond next episode though.

I like that term: "spy-fi." Did you just coin it or did you get it from somewhere. Either way, NICE. I'm liking it so far, but also know that the real of the value of the show is in Coulson and he values people more than any of his technology or collectibles. You have to admire him for that.

Mal “The wheel never stops turning, Badger.”
Badger “That only matters to the people on the rim.”

Two bits of the Coulson mystery to note in this episode. They made a big point of the whole concept of muscle memory in this episode, while constantly showing that Coulson's muscle memory with regards to handling the handgun was gone

Also, Akela said "what did they do to him". Now, she had back scatter X-ray and likely would have been able to tell right away if he was an android aka LMD. If that was the case I think she would have said "what IS he".

I'm changing my vote on the Coulson mystery to clone. Heck, Tahiti is a magical place...

Wasn't the muscle memory last episode and not this episode?

I'm wondering why Akela didn't follow up with May. Was it just covering his back because he saved her and was watching her back or something else?

Mal “The wheel never stops turning, Badger.”
Badger “That only matters to the people on the rim.”

So I totally didn't see the handler being handled until Coulson was standing right in front of him. But I give Coulson credit for more than that. He should have seen it and not attempted to approach him. He doesn't seem like the type of Agent to throw away possibilities like that, especially after his agent was safe.

Akela's abilities only still don't explain how the diamonds where located in the last heist. There is still a leak there to determine the methodology.

It is a coincidence that the opening scene heist takes place in Stockholm. Home of the "Stockholm Syndrome" phenomenology a.k.a. Akela?

For two super geniuses and a expert hacker Fitz-Simmons and Skye were sure slow on the uptake that the encrypted signal was watching them.

Notable Quotes:

Coulson: "I live outside the box."

Coulson: "It's amazing. Every year this part of our job gets easier. Between Facebook Instagram and Flickr people are surveilling themselves.

Coulson to May: "There are only a few women in the world who could pull off something so impossible. Since you were on the bus, I thought it had to be her."

May: "Bus to Short Bus."
Ward: "Go for Short Bus."
Coulson: "Next time I'll decide what we call ourselves, okay?"

Skye to Coulson: "You value really old stuff. And you value me. You're the first person to do that in a long time. So I happen to believe you're an excellent judge of character. If you think this women deserves a second chance, we should give it to her."

Akela: "Why are you doing this? Why are you helping me? Where is the 'I told you so?'"
Coulson: "That's not me anymore. I'm just glad you're alive."

Akela: "What happened to Agent Coulson. He's different."
May: "He's loosened up a bit. He nearly died before the Battle Of New York."
Akela: "But what did they do to him?"
May: "I'm sorry."
Akela: "Nevermind

I like that term: "spy-fi." Did you just coin it or did you get it from somewhere. Either way, NICE.

I can't take the credit for that one. I've heard it a few places, but I think they use it a lot on the SciFi Diner Podcast. Yeah, it's a great term for the more sci fi secret agent genre

Originally Posted by Shooter

Wasn't the muscle memory last episode and not this episode?

Hmmm, might have been. I may have watched these episodes closely together.

Originally Posted by Shooter

For two super geniuses and a expert hacker Fitz-Simmons and Skye were sure slow on the uptake that the encrypted signal was watching them.

Yup. Still not entirely behind these two characters. Again, I like the ongoing discussions on the Legends 'cast that Whedon is setting up one of them as a sacrificial lamb.

“Some humans would do anything to see if it was possible to do it. If you put a large switch in some cave somewhere, with a sign on it saying 'End-of-the-World Switch. PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH', the paint wouldn't even have time to dry.” ― Terry Pratchett, Thief of Time

1) Yes I yelled at my TV as well when the geeks could not figure out that it was their van in the video feed. It was obvious to me, but I suppose possibly... That being used to sitting safely in a lab and not being out in the field, they were not used to being vulnerable, or considering themselves as potential targets. Maybe..

2) I too rolled my eyes when Skye's magazine ejected from her firearm. I feared that the off-hand comment earlier in the program was foreshadowing, and indeed it was. Or, would that be considered a set-up? And the latter a SPIKE?

2) I too rolled my eyes when Skye's magazine ejected from her firearm. I feared that the off-hand comment earlier in the program was foreshadowing, and indeed it was. Or, would that be considered a set-up? And the latter a SPIKE?

In retrospect I think I can safely state that Skye is far from being an operative when she join's Coulson's team. She's just an average girl who happens to have some computer skills and a drive to find out the truth. So while she is quickly picking things up I can see her ineptness with weapons. The magazine release on a standard Glock is at the tip of the thumb and if you hold the grip too tight you could eject the magazine. I can see that and I can see her doing it. And saying "Bang" instead of firing the gun was kind of cute.

But I also acknowledge if the magazine is ejected there is still one round in the chamber. She could have attempted to get one shot off I guess.

In any event I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of Skye training to become an agent with Ward and such less-than-rookie mistakes will become fewer and farther between. Think of it like Chuck Bartowski. It took him years before you would think about sending him out into the field by himself.

Mal “The wheel never stops turning, Badger.”
Badger “That only matters to the people on the rim.”